LED Tinywhoop Gate from 1/2 PEX Tubing

Build some cheap, easy to make tiny whoop racing gates for under $6 each form ½ in PEX tubing, a couple of 3D printed parts, and so fairy lights from Dollar Tree I wanted some low cost, easy to build LED whoop gates. I tried a couple of different options but the one that I landed on uses PEX tubing, Dollar tree fairy lights and these 3D printed parts. I tried PVC pipe and air line tubing. PVC works but it is more expensive and is more opaque than PEX. Air line tubing is also more expensive and harder to run wire/led strips through. PEX is not very expensive, it bends a little bit, but is rigid enough to hold a general shape. Base Materials 10 foot of ½ PEX tubing (I got mine from Mendards for about $3.50 https://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/hoses-tubing/pex-tubing/sioux-chief-powerpex-reg-1-2-x-10-white-pex-tubing/664x2w10m/p-3289655538082571-c-19654.htm 10 foot fairly lights from the Dollartree $1.50 (you could also use the 7 foot string if you build the half circle gate. https://www.dollartree.com/led-string-lights-1-pk/400596 3d printed 90 degree ½ in PEX elbow and Four Way ½ in PEX tee https://www.printables.com/model/1525701-led-tinywhoop-gate-from-12-pex-tubing OPTION A: The easiest and quickest to build are the half circle ones. They require two modified tee connectors, a 24 inch piece of PEX tubing for the base, four 8 inch pieces for the feet and 32 inches for the arc. Parts List 20 inch piece PEX ½ tubing x 1 for the base 32 inch piece PEX ½ tubing x 1 for the arc/hoop/ half circle 10 inch piece PEX ½ tubing x 4 for the feet (10 inches for each side of the base) Four way Tee connector x 2 (one for each side of the base) OPTION B: The one I prefer is the 20x20 square. It requires 4 20 inch PEX pieces for the side,4x10 inch for the feet, 2 elbows, and 2 tees. I find them easier to fly through. This will use up every bit of a 10 foot piece of PEX tubing. Parts List 20 inch piece PEX ½ tubing x 2 for each side of the square 20 inch piece of PEX ½ tubing x 1 for the top rail 20 inch piece of PEX ½ tubing x1 for the bottom rail 10 inch piece PEX ½ tubing x 4 for the feet (10 inches for each side of the base) Four way Tee x 2 (one for each side of the base) Elbow 90 degree x 2 (one for each top brace connector Materials Required 10 foot of ½ PEX Tubing x Qty of 1 $3.50 from Menards 10 foot of fairy lights x QTY of 1 $1.50 from Dollar Tree AA batteries x 2 3d printed connectors Tools Required Tape Measure PVC cutter or hacksaw Pen INSTRUCTIONS 3D Printing the pieces 20% infill Tree supports Print with skirt Building the Gates Cut the pieces as described for Option B. Putting the batteries in the fairy lights and turning them on will make routing easier. Start with a four way tee, run the fairy lights all the way through, leaving just the battery pack outside, grab a 20 inch leg, run the fairy lights all the way through the leg, then attach the leg to the top hole on the four way tee. Next grab an elbow, run the fairy lights all the way through the elbow, then connect the elbow to the leg Next grab a 20 inch top rail, run the fairy lights through the top rail, then connect the cross member to the elbow. Next grab the other elbow, run the fairly lights through the elbow, then connect the elbow to the top rail Next grab a 20 inch leg, run the fairy lights all the way through the leg, then connect the leg to the elbow. Next grab a four way tee, run the fairy lights through the tee. Connect the four way tee to the leg. Grab a 20 inch bottom rail, run the fairy lights through the cross member. Connect the cross member to the four way tee. Fun the fairy lights through the 1st four way tee. Wrap any excess lights around the leg. Finally, on each side of each four way tee, add one 10 inch piece of PEX tubing to act as the feet. NOTES: The 3d printed parts have an opening of 16.1mm for the PEX tubing. Depending on your printer and print settings you might have to scale up or down or use a file or iron. You can use LED light strips, but fairy lights are easier to run and cheaper.